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New York - Spider-Man returned to the stage on Thursday, a day after two performances were cancelled due to a scary fall that left a stuntman seriously injured.
Before the show could resume on Thursday, producers had to give final confirmation to the state Department of Labour that they had enacted certain safety measures aimed at avoiding any further mishaps. Among them: a requirement that a second person ensure the harnesses used by performers during the show's high-flying stunts have been put on properly at the Foxwoods Theatre at Manhattan's Times Square.
It was clear from the line at the box office on Thursday afternoon that business was booming.
"We're sold out until January 2," a ticket seller told a steady stream of buyers.
Controversy
Some folks had tickets already but wanted to check that the evening's show would go on as planned, since both Wednesday's matinee and evening performance had been cancelled.
"They gave us a number to call later, just to make sure," said Mike Foux, of Pennsylvania.
An avid Spider-Man fan since childhood, he had come to New York to see the show with his wife, Patti, and 20-year-old daughter, Jessie, for his birthday. He echoed what many fans were saying: All the controversy had made the show that much more exciting to see.
"I was thinking, with four accidents happening, there must be some truly amazing stunts," Foux said.
"Of course, nobody wants to see anyone get hurt," his wife added quickly.
Confident
The much-anticipated production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, teaming Lion King creator Julie Taymor with U2 songwriters Bono and The Edge, has had a bumpy ride to Broadway. Already the most expensive show in Broadway history, it has been plagued by technical glitches, money woes and three other injuries, including a concussion and two broken wrists.
The cast and crew of the musical spent Wednesday and Thursday rehearsing the new safety precautions.
The show has been in previews for a month, and its official Broadway opening has twice been postponed. It is now set for early February.
James J Claffey jnr, president of Local One IATSE, the stage employees union, said on Thursday in a statement that his group "is confident in the additional safety protocols".
Amazing attitude
"'Spider-Man' is the most challenging musical production in the history of Broadway," he said. "For all the advanced technical equipment used in today's Broadway shows, the shows are still performed and run by human beings. The human element cannot be taken out of live theatre, and the Broadway theatre is a strictly choreographed system of actors, stage managers, technicians and machines."
Maureen Cox, director of safety and health for the Department of Labour, said the investigation into Tierney's accident is continuing. Investigators said they are looking into whether it was caused by equipment failure or human error.
Tierney's brother Patrick, who came down from New Hampshire to see Tierney through back surgery, said his brother would be released from a hospital on Friday or Saturday and would complete his recovery at home in New Hampshire. He said his brother is in "as good spirits as he can be", and is expected to make a full recovery and will surely return to the stage.
"He's a dancer. He landed on his feet. If he didn't land on his feet, he wouldn't be with us," said Patrick Tierney, of New Hampshire. "He has a strong body and an amazing attitude."
Before the show could resume on Thursday, producers had to give final confirmation to the state Department of Labour that they had enacted certain safety measures aimed at avoiding any further mishaps. Among them: a requirement that a second person ensure the harnesses used by performers during the show's high-flying stunts have been put on properly at the Foxwoods Theatre at Manhattan's Times Square.
It was clear from the line at the box office on Thursday afternoon that business was booming.
"We're sold out until January 2," a ticket seller told a steady stream of buyers.
Controversy
Some folks had tickets already but wanted to check that the evening's show would go on as planned, since both Wednesday's matinee and evening performance had been cancelled.
"They gave us a number to call later, just to make sure," said Mike Foux, of Pennsylvania.
An avid Spider-Man fan since childhood, he had come to New York to see the show with his wife, Patti, and 20-year-old daughter, Jessie, for his birthday. He echoed what many fans were saying: All the controversy had made the show that much more exciting to see.
"I was thinking, with four accidents happening, there must be some truly amazing stunts," Foux said.
"Of course, nobody wants to see anyone get hurt," his wife added quickly.
Confident
The much-anticipated production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, teaming Lion King creator Julie Taymor with U2 songwriters Bono and The Edge, has had a bumpy ride to Broadway. Already the most expensive show in Broadway history, it has been plagued by technical glitches, money woes and three other injuries, including a concussion and two broken wrists.
The cast and crew of the musical spent Wednesday and Thursday rehearsing the new safety precautions.
The show has been in previews for a month, and its official Broadway opening has twice been postponed. It is now set for early February.
James J Claffey jnr, president of Local One IATSE, the stage employees union, said on Thursday in a statement that his group "is confident in the additional safety protocols".
Amazing attitude
"'Spider-Man' is the most challenging musical production in the history of Broadway," he said. "For all the advanced technical equipment used in today's Broadway shows, the shows are still performed and run by human beings. The human element cannot be taken out of live theatre, and the Broadway theatre is a strictly choreographed system of actors, stage managers, technicians and machines."
Maureen Cox, director of safety and health for the Department of Labour, said the investigation into Tierney's accident is continuing. Investigators said they are looking into whether it was caused by equipment failure or human error.
Tierney's brother Patrick, who came down from New Hampshire to see Tierney through back surgery, said his brother would be released from a hospital on Friday or Saturday and would complete his recovery at home in New Hampshire. He said his brother is in "as good spirits as he can be", and is expected to make a full recovery and will surely return to the stage.
"He's a dancer. He landed on his feet. If he didn't land on his feet, he wouldn't be with us," said Patrick Tierney, of New Hampshire. "He has a strong body and an amazing attitude."
